United Kingdom. The Incorporated Thames Nautical Training College Good Conduct Medal 1902, To William Littlejohn Wilson

In silver, obverse illustrating a ship in the centre, framed within a garter inscribed "THE INCORPORATED THAMES NAUTICAL TRAINING COLLEGE", framed by three flag on either side, with two ribbon banners, the one above inscribed "UNION IS STRENGTH", the one below inscribed "HMS WORCESTER", all of which is surmounted by the Victorian crown, reverse engraved "GOOD CONDUCT / William Littlejohn Wilson / MIDSUMMER, 1902", measuring 47.7 mm (w) x 80.5 mm (h) inclusive of its facing dolphins suspension, very light contact, original ribbon, near extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, maroon pebbled exterior, inside lid in light green satin, padded and maker marked "Gowland Bros. 48 Cornhill." in gold-coloured ink, navy blue felt medal bed, measuring 80.5 mm (w) x 113.5 mm (h) x 22.3 mm (d), light wear and contact marks evident on the exterior, case better than very fine.

Footnote: The Thames Nautical Training College, as it is now called, was, for over a hundred years, situated aboard ships named HMS Worcester. London shipowners, marine insurance underwriters and merchants subscribed to its founding as an institution which would provide trained officers for a seagoing career. The British Admiralty loaned the 50-gun, 1,500-ton frigate HMS Worcester for the scheme, and in 1862 the Thames Marine Officer Training School was opened. She was to find her eventual home off Greenhithe, in the Thames, in 1871, after temporary berths at Blackwall, Erith and Southend. The college expanded and the Admiralty provided the college with HMS Frederick William (originally laid down as Royal Frederick), a line-of-battle ship of 86 guns with screw propulsion. She was renamed Worcester and refitted in the Victoria Docks before being brought to Greenhithe in 1876. About this time the name of the school was changed to the Incorporated Thames Nautical Training College, HMS Worcester (ITNTC). In 1938, the clipper Cutty Sark was acquired by the college and berthed alongside Worcester and during the Second World War some seamanship classes were held in the ship. In 1954, the Cutty Sark left Greenhithe to be docked permanently at Greenwich, where she is now a museum ship. With the onset of war in 1939, Worcester cadets moved to Foots Cray Place near Sidcup, and the ship was handed back to the Admiralty. The third Worcester (formerly HMS Exmouth) arrived at Greenhithe in January 1946. She had previously been used as an accommodation ship at Scapa Flow. The ship, built in 1905, was the Royal Navy's first specially commissioned training ship. In 1968, the ITNTC became part of the Merchant Navy College at Greenhithe. The ship Worcester became redundant and was sold to be broken up in Belgium in 1978. Many Worcester cadets, who automatically became Cadets of the Royal Naval Reserve during their time in the ship, entered the Royal Navy and British merchant navy. On leaving Worcester, a number rose to the highest ranks of their profession, including those who became commodores of leading merchant fleets.